Discussions By Condition: I cannot get a diagnosis.

help in nashville

I recently had sex with someone and the condom broke. he said he doesn't have anything because he donates blood but since then i've had slight fever (no more than 100), sore throat and painful, swollen lymph nodes especially under the right armpit and neck. i have had fatigue, but had that before. i had swollen lymph nodes before this, but it has gotten much worse. What is going on? does this sound like hiv? I know it may not show up for 6 months if i get tested but i will worry myself to death before then. is there anything else it might be so i can get that checked to rule out hiv?

3 Replies:

Don't worry!! You are describing the symptoms of Mononucleosis!! You may be more familiar with it's 'common-term ' of 'Kissing disease' It's also caused by a virus (Epstein-Barr Virus, or EBV) so antibiotics do nothing!! It's not very pleasant while it lasts (as you already know!!) but it will eventually vanish! Acyclivar is often prescribed but my experience of young people suggest that it's not very effective!! You do NOT have HIV or any other STD so stop worrying!!

It does seem pretty unlikely that you would exhibit HIV symptoms this quickly, although of course you should get tested as soon as possible.In the mean time, another possibility is that you contracted some other illness, anything from the flu to another sexually transmitted disease. Blood donors are only tested for bloodborne STDs such as HIV and Hepatitis B. There are many others such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis... most of which are easily treatable. Any sort of infection, STD or otherwise, can cause these general symptoms of infection. Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fatigue, fever... these are all just signs that your body is fighting *something.* They are not necessarily diagnostic of HIV.My advice would be to get a general checkup, as well as a screening for the usual STDs and maybe mononucleosis. If it is possible, get the guy to get another HIV test. Testing is usually effective by 3 months after exposure. Hopefully this will put your mind at rest.

It does seem pretty unlikely that you would exhibit HIV symptoms this quickly, although of course you should get tested as soon as possible. In the mean time, another possibility is that you contracted some other illness, anything from the flu to another sexually transmitted disease. Blood donors are only tested for bloodborne STDs such as HIV and Hepatitis B. There are many others such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis... most of which are easily treatable. Any sort of infection, STD or otherwise, can cause these general symptoms of infection. Swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, fatigue, fever... these are all just signs that your body is fighting *something.* They are not necessarily diagnostic of HIV. My advice would be to get a general checkup, as well as a screening for the usual STDs and maybe mononucleosis. If it is possible, get the guy to get another HIV test. Testing is usually effective by 3 months after exposure. Hopefully this will put your mind at rest. I would definatly get a check up from your OB doctor. it sounds to me like an STD.